Slice of Life: “We need lines that would force us to talk with each other, that force us to share ideas and understandings. The way these lines are being drawn now, it doesn’t compel a person to look outside of their party lines … With the help of computers, the lines are now being drawn ‘where they can be so exact that they can break up a bedroom if they wanted to.'” A good overview of how gerrymandering makes the US House intensely partisan.

+ Shortchanged: “You’re progressive in one way but you’re still making that backward story of seven dwarves living in the cave.” Disney responds to Peter Dinklage’s criticism of Snow White remake. “We are taking a different approach with these seven characters and have been consulting with members of the dwarfism community.” (Like what kind of approach could they take?)

+ Face Off: The Atlantic: The Case Against Masks at School. “Districts should rethink imposing on millions of children an intervention that provides little discernible benefit.” I can’t wait until my kids can lose the masks. But in terms of development, I don’t think it’s bad that they’ve learned that personal sacrifices have to be made for the community in general, and their elders (including teachers) in particular.